And I have been known to drag an old weathered farm table out to the middle of the woods

and light it with a chandelier hanging from branches of a tree.

I love creating that ambiance and inviting the conversations and laughs to linger a bit longer.

After I married, my focus was on being a stay at home wife and motherand any career that I thought about took a back seat until my children were all in middle school. It was then that I started to dabble more into that creative work a bit.

I wrote a book for my grandmother about a childhood character who inspired me and I also started to write a blog about the 1940's house and guest cottage that we were renovating and the seeming never to end inspirations and projects.

So in late 2010- French Country Cottage was born.Giving me a place to immerse myself in design for a bit each day and to share the ongoing renovations

and my rebelliousdesign streakwhile figuring out who I might want to be when I grow up.Aside from blogging,I work as a freelance photographer and stylist for magazines and brandsand am currently working on my first book with Gibbs-Smith publishers, tanking up on coffeeand scouring flea markets for the next treasure.

I am a HomeGoods Design Happy BloggerLamps Plus blog Contributorand am the Blog and Style Ambassador for Balsam Hill.I work freelance as a photographer and stylist as well as a blogger and if you have a blog or photography project that is a good fit for my style and readers- I would love to collaborate with you.Please email me with any questionsor ideas for partnering and for my media kit.Courtney@frenchcountrycottage.net

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43 comments

Vintage Begonia suggested I view your blog...I love it. I am U.S.A. Stockist for Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and Products. Please take a look at Miss Mustard Seeds blog revealing the "magic" of our European paints/colors and the beautiful finishes that can be created. I am in California and would love to talk with you. I will be at The Three Speckled Hens in May and also at The Tattered House on April 10th giving a "debut" workshop.Please contact me....i don't know who else to reach you.Anne Skougardwww.houseofanne.nethttp://www.houseofanne-anne.blogspot.com/

Love your blog! I am an incurable Francophile. I just returned from an incredible opportunity to live/work in Angers, France, for 6 months--it was a dream come true that I was able to share w/ my twin daughters. Your blog inspires me to recreate a little bit of France here in the Lone Star State :)

Can I just say... I adore your blog!! Your home, and everything!! Btw... there is no way you can have 3 almost grown children!! :D lol. I am in envy with your home! I have become a follower of yours and Will be back every day to check you blog hon. Thanks for being such an inspiration!

May I just say, how beautiful and creative your style is, and how lovely your home. It is absolutely inspired. I love everything about it, and I love the warmth that emanates from everything you have done in your home.

You, and a few other very talented people that I am following online, are inspiring me to bring this magic into my home too... It took a while to convince my husband, but now I can move forward and I will not look back :)

I just wanted to say thank you for sharing this beauty and creativity with the world, and that I have become your newest fan :)

Hi Courtney!!For years I always tried to explain what kind of decoration I loved. People always said it was Country. So for years I bought anything to do with country decorating, but, never really felt that that is what I was all about.

Until recently, meaning in the last few years, I have found that it was always "Cottage" designs that I love. Especially after going through a life changing experience, I feel I need to try to rebuild my life and Courtney you and your beautiful ideas are helping. The color pink has always been a calming color and I love how you use it. The roses are beautiful!!

So, thank you for your beautiful pictures and stories (Love the one about the Settee and your daughter is so funny).

Just discovered your blog! I am so excited to find a kindred spirit in decorating my home. We've just moved and had to leave our cottage but I intend to make this home feel warm and welcoming too, now with your help. I just adore your outside entertaining area and can't wait to show it off to my hubby! Thanks and I look forward to getting to know you better thru your blog

I found your blog on 'La table de nana' I'm new to blogs but loved your style & wanted to say how much i enjoyed looking at it. Ive just started a blog of my own, but haven't quite got the hang of things work yet!

Great blog, adore you beautiful images. I too live in France in the perfume capital of the world, Grasse which is gorgeous and I would love my home to be full of the decor shown on your blog. I'm working on it!

Great blog, adore you beautiful images. I too live in France in the perfume capital of the world, Grasse which is gorgeous and I would love my home to be full of the decor shown on your blog. I'm working on it!

I just stumbled upon your blog...love love IT!I love the warmth and feel of it. It has a soothing and relaxing charm!!!I've always dreamed of creating a cottagie feel to my home, where I can be transported from the everyday stress of life to a magical place of my own.

What a great looking family! Courtney, I fall in love more and more with each visit to your blog! You must love waking up each day in your gorgeous bedroom! Every room in your home is soft, soothing, charming and inviting.

Hi CourtneyI love,love,love your home and your blog I'm so surprise your live in France I always thinking you live in California your so nice and sweet mi mom love to look at your blog all the time she said oh my God her house it so beautiful she love your living room she is 90 year old and she love to look all the blog.BlessingIsoraXOX

Hi Courtney! I love your posts! so you really live in France? I want to incorporate some of your ideas in my humble little home, that was given to me by God! I love the pinks and purples and the all white kitchens. my kitchen at the present time is red and white and i just love how it looks. really you have a flair for the most unusual picture taking. Just love your pictures. Thanks so much!

I just love this site, Courtney you really live in France? i am happy to have found this site. and love the pinks and purples you have shown us. i have this adorable little home that was given to me and i can't wait to make it more personal as you have done with your pictures as well. Thanks again and God bless you always

Love your Blog, beautiful Decoration!!!! I would love to share some of your pictures on my Dreaming Of A Coastal Cottage page on Facebook. It is a Home & Garden page! Please let me know if and how you would like me to share your photos! If Its ok for me to down load a photo and then post your link above the photo? I think I would need a signed permission to do this on Facebook my email is deanaebullard@comcast.net Thanks Deanae

I have been following your blog for several years now and totally love your style. I have been laid off from my job this year and have a dream of doing something in the design world but just not sure where or how up to this point, however I do stay truly inspired by your blog. We will be moving in about a year and I have been searching for an old home that is looking for someone to love. Rose@theheartofrose.com

I so love your blog,your photos,the flowers and decorating,recipes,DIY . Your personality comes through so well and I feel like I have a known you for a long time. I don't always get to read the post but I do try and catch up, I so enjoy your blog and take away lots of inspiration.,Love yaMy friend

Hi Sarah! There is usually a pop up that comes up to ask if you want to sign up- otherwise - you can email me your preference at courtney@frenchcountrycottage.net and I can add you. ( everything or just 3x a week or Newsletters only) My blog is being updated currently- so apologize for the wonky!